Coole Upper Churches

The two churches at Coole Upper are associated with the early monastery of St Abbán. The larger of the two churches is found in Coole Upper graveyard, a sub-rectangular plot and still in use. The larger church was built as a single nave and contains the core of a Romanesque church with one antae remaining, and pillars on either side of doorway. The chancel is a 13^th century addition and has a rosette carved in relief on its gable wall. The church was abandoned in the 18th century.

The second smaller church lies just south of it, and was built using rough coursed sandstone. Many of the stones of this church were repurposed elsewhere, as many of the quoins, necessary for the structure, have been removed. Many of the walls as a result are in a ruinous state. There are the remains of an antae and a repaired altar stone, suggesting the church was a place of worship during penal times.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014